After turning on, the refrigerator turns off: we understand the reasons for the quick shutdown

Reasons for the refrigerator to turn off quickly

To find out why the refrigerator quickly turns off a few seconds after turning it on, you need to perform diagnostics. First, it’s worth understanding how this technique generally works, because in the normal state it also turns on and off after a certain time.

A refrigerator is a rather complex device that uses the law of thermodynamics. Essentially, it is a converter of heat into cold and vice versa. The design includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant. The coolant flows through the jacket inside, cooling the space, when it penetrates the external radiator, it is compressed there, which is accompanied by the release of heat. This technique simultaneously cools the food inside in the chambers and heats the radiator outside, which, of course, is achieved through compression, expansion, dehumidification and filtration, for which the system has special components.

As for the possible reasons for the refrigerator to turn off after a few seconds, many things can be the culprit for this behavior. In any case, a diagnosis should be made, and in many situations you can cope with this task yourself. It consists of an initial external inspection and measuring the time when the refrigerator starts working after being turned off.

There is such a thing as the working time ratio. It defines the limits of normal operation of equipment in relation to faulty conditions. A value in the range from 0.2 to 0.9 is considered normal. How to define it? Finding this value is quite easy; you need to measure the pause and work time, but having fulfilled certain conditions:

Make sure both doors are tightly closed.
It is advisable to leave in the chambers a minimum amount of products that are already refrigerated.
The network is not drained, the voltage is normal.

So, having fulfilled all the above conditions, you can begin measuring time intervals in both states. The coefficient is determined in a special form through the ratio of work and total times, work and pause. For example, when you first turn on a refrigerator, it only works for 3 minutes. Then it stays off for 10 minutes and turns on again. The number is determined by the formula: 3/(3 + 13) = 0.1875.

NECESSARILY!!

This indicator indicates the presence of a malfunction that must be found. To figure out what’s wrong, it’s worth remembering the refrigerator diagram and finding possible elements that can lead to a quick shutdown. There are only 2 such components in the refrigerator: a compressor (it has a temperature sensor, which is fixed outside) and a thermostat (controls the temperature in the chambers and turns off when it reaches it).

Let's consider the most common situations when, after turning on, the refrigerator turns off almost immediately or after a very short period of time. Some defects may not be related to technology.

Features of self-shutdown of the refrigerator

Many people wonder why the refrigerator may turn off. Do not immediately panic and look for the causes of the breakdown. The fact is that such switching on and off is systemic, because equipment also needs to rest.

It all depends on the temperature inside and outside the chamber. Sudden changes in external and internal temperatures create additional stress on the parts of the device. Therefore, continuous operation is contraindicated for it, otherwise it will overheat.

Continuous operation of the refrigerator can lead to permanent equipment failure.

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Failures and power surges

One of the reasons why the refrigerator turns on and turns off immediately is failures and power surges in the network. In fact, the situation is very serious, because due to regular power instability, not only the compressor motor of your refrigerator and its control unit will fail, but also almost any other household appliance that is deprived of an individual stabilizer.

This is due to the fact that there are overcurrents in the windings, which lead to overloads. If switching power supplies are able to withstand fluctuations from 170 to 280 V, then asynchronous motors will not be able to withstand such a test. Most likely, they will overheat and the thermal protection will work, which is still good in relation to the situation when there is no such protection and the engine simply burns out. Old IPs can also fail.

IMPORTANT!!!

To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to acquire a transformer-type network stabilizer. It will automatically adjust the output voltage depending on changes in the input voltage, but when choosing power, it is important to consider that when the compressor starts, it consumes a lot of energy.

Especially often, problems with the power supply network arise in the private sector or holiday village. Here, for each house, a power of up to 3 kW is calculated, which is very little, considering that many have purchased electric water heaters. The optimal stabilizer power for a private or country house is 10 kW.

Network surges and dips affect home appliance components in different ways. Exceeding more than 280 V leads to operation of the varistor protection. Dips lead to additional drawdown and a simple lack of power for the compressor to operate after start-up.

To test the network sag theory, you need to use a voltmeter or an indicator in the form of a regular incandescent light bulb. If there are dips below 200 V, then this is noticeable to the naked eye by a decrease in the brightness of the lamp. Instead of a spiral one, you can also use cheap LEDs without a current source. If there is a stabilizer, then each of them, as a rule, has an indicator, which can also be used to determine the state of the network.

Power grid instability

To begin with, you should exclude such a banal reason as a voltage drop. It is enough to turn on the incandescent lamp and monitor its operation. If the lamp blinks and the light intensity slowly changes (it becomes dimmer and then brighter), then the reason that the refrigerator turns on and turns off after a few seconds is insufficient voltage in the network. In this case, it is necessary to disconnect the equipment from the network to avoid its breakdown. If fluctuations occur frequently, then you should think about network filters, stabilizers, fuses, or installing a transformer and optimizing the supply of electricity to the premises.

Problems with the power supply

Also, the compressor turns on almost immediately after being turned off due to a malfunction in the power supply. Over time, radio components such as capacitors dry out and lose their capacity. Because of this, any interference in the network, which is considered normal, becomes emergency and can cause automatic shutdown. It is also possible that any of the integral elements on the board will break. In this case, you will not be able to repair the refrigerator yourself, because qualified assistance is required.

power unit

The power supply in this household appliance is pulsed, and it is only needed to power the logic board, which, in turn, controls the operation of the compressor and controls the temperature in the chambers. The breakdown may be associated with the same drawdowns and surges in the network or defectiveness of some of the components.

How to determine a malfunction by sound

You can understand the cause of the breakdown through sound analysis. Listen to the device as it turns on and off. Was there a clicking sound before it turned off? Another important point: the volume of the engine sound. If it “buzzes” louder than before, then there is clearly something wrong with it. It could be a relay or a compressor. Another possible cause is a faulty electronic board.

You can determine a refrigerator malfunction yourself using sound analysis.

How to fix the problem:

If the compressor burns out, it needs to be replaced. It is important to choose a model that meets the technical specifications for your freezer. Connect it correctly. If you don’t know how to do this, look at the guides, or call a specialist.
The same manipulations are carried out with the relay.
If the problem is in the control unit, use the services of a specialist. They will reprogram it for you or replace it completely.

A qualified technician can determine the exact cause of the refrigerator breakdown.

In some cases, it is easier to buy new equipment than to repair old equipment. Every year, models are equipped with new functions, so why repair old “junk” when there are so many new and “advanced” things in stores.

Recommendations and advice from the experts:

The average person only reads a device's manual when something goes wrong. This is a big mistake. You need to read the instructions carefully before you turn on the refrigerator.
Install the refrigerator strictly level. If you have a crooked floor, place something under the legs of the refrigerator.
The location of the device is of great importance. Ideally, it should be located away from the sink, stove and radiator. Also, you can’t place it close to the wall. A distance of at least 3-5 cm is needed to ensure air circulation.
The device must have its own outlet. If shared, it may cause a fire.

To make your refrigerator last much longer, you need to close the door tightly every time.

Here's what experts advise on caring for your equipment so that it serves you for many years.

Close the door tightly and do not keep it open for long. Modern devices for these purposes have a special signal indicating that the door has been open for too long.
If the device does not have the No Frost function, then you will have to defrost the freezer section regularly. This is done once a month.
Keep the rubber gasket clean, because it prevents depressurization.
Hot foods are not placed in the refrigerator. Only cooled to room temperature.
Do not fill the refrigerator to capacity. This creates additional stress for him.
Do not cover the shelves with anything. This way you allow air circulation inside the cabinet.

The location of the refrigerator can play a big role.

Additional Information. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with tips for organizing proper food storage:

The freezer is used exclusively for food, but not for bottles. They may split.
All products are stored in packaging. This will prevent the appearance of mold, which can not only harm your health, but also affect the functioning of the cabinet.
Eggs, juices and other drinks are stored on the side doors.
The middle shelves store prepared meals, as well as cheese and meat.
If you store medications in the refrigerator, follow the temperature range indicated on the package.

Glass bottles and jars cannot be left in the freezer.

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Compressor failure

Have you noticed that the refrigerator quickly turns off almost immediately when you turn it on? One of the reasons for this defect may be a breakdown of the compressor. It is a unit that is essentially an asynchronous motor with a piston group. The device converts electrical energy into refrigerant flow pressure using a linear translational movement of the piston. Given the complexity of the compressor design, several breakdowns may occur:

Overheating of the windings due to a mechanical malfunction of the piston group. The slightest misalignment of the connecting rod will become a wedge, the engine will begin to heat up intensely and burn out, but the temperature sensor saves it from this.
Thermal sensor malfunction. It is an external device that is located in the same module as the compressor power contacts. It is presented in the form of a flat plate, which, through thermal paste, fits tightly against the flat part of the motor housing. When the temperature rises above 60 degrees, the resistance of the sensor changes, which leads to a power cut.
Overheating due to blockage in the system. If the filter becomes clogged or a blockage occurs in the capillary tubes, the resistance to the compressor will increase sharply, which will also lead to its overheating.

Compressor failure

To determine if the compressor is faulty, follow these steps:

First check the integrity of the windings. There are two of them in this unit. One is working - of lower power, and the second is starting. The resistance between two of the 3 contacts should be 2 times greater than between the third and one of the first two. This indicates the integrity of both windings.
If the multimeter shows zero resistance or a break, which is equal to infinity, then this indicates its complete malfunction. As a rule, they are no longer repaired, only replaced. If you have equipment for soldering and refilling, it is quite possible to do this yourself.
Forcefully try to turn on the engine. It has 3 terminals from two windings connected together at one end. To start the engine, it is necessary to supply power to the working winding and briefly to the starting winding.
If the engine hums, but does not start, and instantaneous heating of its body is felt, then the problem is in the wedge of the piston group. Repair is not practical. It's easier to buy a new motor.
If it starts, but the refrigerator turns off after 1-2 minutes, then turns on again after about the same time, then this indicates a blockage in the system. The motor is working normally, the system needs to be flushed and refilled.

Start-up relay

The compressor has failed

If the previous two points are excluded, then it is worth checking the very “heart” of the device. The compressor, unfortunately, has a tendency to fail, and replacing it will be quite expensive. If you have an old device, then it would be more advisable to buy a new one rather than purchasing a compressor separately.

Buying a new refrigerator will cost less than replacing a compressor.

The compressor is the main part of the refrigerator. It is thanks to him that freon circulates. Without it, the refrigerator cannot operate.

To determine if a compressor is faulty, measure the resistance of its windings. If the measurements show a normal value, then the cause of the breakdown must be looked for elsewhere.

Why a compressor may break:

Closing the winding turns.
Winding damage.
Motor jamming.

It is impossible to repair the compressor, you can only replace it.

These reasons contribute to the load on the motor, which, in turn, leads to overheating. Therefore, the relay turns it off a few seconds after it is turned on.

The compressor cannot be repaired - it is only possible to replace the part.

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Start protection relay malfunction

The compressor is not the only complex part. It is controlled by the start relay. It is a small block that stands next to the motor. As a rule, it is made in a plastic case. It receives a signal from the temperature sensor on the compressor, in the chambers and the control board. If they are present in a certain combination or sequence, it turns the motor on and off. If the relay is faulty and the contacts are not blocked, the effect of attempting to start the motor may occur. In this case, it is necessary to check the condition of all sensors and monitor the signals for turning on the relay. If they are present, the relay itself probably needs to be replaced.

Thermal relay

How to diagnose a breakdown?

To find out the specific reason why the refrigerator turns off quickly, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies. To do this, you will need a minimum set of equipment and accessories, including screwdrivers, a voltmeter and a device for measuring resistance. Diagnostics is performed in several stages:

First you need to check whether the compressor itself is working. How to do this was described earlier in the article.
If the engine starts, but overheats greatly and turns off, it is necessary to check the pressure in the system and check for leaks.
If everything is fine with the circuits, but the engine still gets hot, then it most likely needs to be replaced.

If your refrigerator does not have an electronic control unit, then fast shutdown problems may be related to the thermostat. To do this, move the temperature regulator in the chamber to the extreme maximum and then minimum position.

To diagnose a breakdown, you must have experience and some skills in using standard tools. However, if you have the desire to do this, it is quite possible.

Diagnosis of failure

Troubleshooting methods

If the refrigerator does not want to start after the last shutdown, then this is a sign of a breakdown. To fix it, you need to carry out diagnostics, find the faulty element or damaged area, and then replace it. In the practice of repairing refrigerators, there are several ways to solve such problems, which depend on the specific situation:

Method for changing thermostat settings.
Cleaning contacts on the compressor connector, start-up relay and other devices.
Replacement of faulty components.